History 1 History of World Civilizations Part 1 Week 1: Migrations and Prehistoric Humans

Big Question of the Day What does the term “prehistoric” mean and how do historians study prehistory? What commonalities exist between the histories of all human being on earth? To what extent can the transformations between the Paleolithic era and the Neolithic era be said to be the origins of social hierarchy and gender inequality?

What does the term “prehistoric” mean? When does prehistory end and history begin? What are the primary sources of prehistory?

Hominid Evolution

What can archeological evidence like this from Tanzania (East Africa) tell us about the nature of human ancestors? spelling: Australopithecus

Early Homo Sapiens Image Source: PBS Nova: First Peoples

Birthplace of Early Humans

Migration and Differentiation Question: How did prehistoric people reach distant islands?

Fictions of Race What is “race?” How do academics (historians, sociologists, etc) use the term?

Prehistoric Eras Paleolithic – Old Stone Age – 250,000 – 9000 BCE Humans made tools from stone, bone and other natural products Foraging (used to be called hunting and gathering) Neolithic – New Stone Age – circa 9000 BCE to circa 3200 BCE Use of agriculture More complex societies

Paleolithic Societies How did Paleolithic humans meet their basic needs? (food, heat, etc..) What kind of divisions of labor existed? How complex were Paleolithic human societies?

Paleolithic Hand Axes

Paleolithic Culture “West African Man” Venus of Lespugue

Why the Transition? Fire-hardened bone hoe used for horticulture Climate Change Ice Age ends Seasonal availability of crops Slow Adaptation to Agriculture Hunting changes (megafaunal extinction) Tools and Storage Population Rise in population Fire-hardened bone hoe used for horticulture

Neolithic Age (circa 9000 BCE to 3200 BCE) Two key innovations differentiate Neolithic from Paleolithic societies. Can you name them? 1. 2.

Neolithic Hand Plows for Agriculture

Hand plows are, by definition, powered by humans Hand plows are, by definition, powered by humans. How would their use transform Neolithic societies? Is there a connection between hand plows and the creation of gender hierarchies?

Six Main Crops Wheat Barley Rice Maize Legumes (lentils, peas, chickpeas, etc..) Flax (for cloth, not eating)

Animal Domestication

Animal Domestication Also: cows, camels, llamas, donkeys, reindeer, yaks, guineas pigs, silk worms

Is this pot from the Paleolithic or the Neolithic era?

Discussion: How might the existence of ceramic pots, presumably filled with stored foodstuffs, serve to make society more complex? How would Neolithic societies deal with this complexity?

Discussion: If food is plentiful, would everyone in Neolithic societies need to work on agriculture? If not, what would their roles in society be?

Term: Pastoralism

Discussion What are the ramifications of some Neolithic societies becoming settled while other societies remained nomadic? Do we tend to value one type of society over the other?

Next Up: “Mesopotamia and the Ancient Egyptians” Next time we examine the creation of the state as a method to bring organization some of the earliest human civilizations, starting in ancient Mesopotamia, the ancient Egypt, and other civilizations in Southwest Asia.

Quick Write What do you think are the key differences between Paleolithic and Neolithic societies? You may brainstorm in groups, but students must submit their own written response. Make sure your name is legible! This is how I’m taking attendance today.